Southgate confirms Woodgate talks

Newcastle and Tottenham have been given permission to speak to Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate confirmed after his side’s 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory at Mansfield that the England international has been allowed to talk to both clubs.

Newcastle have also agreed a fee in the region of £8m with their derby rivals as new boss Kevin Keegan attempts to lure the 28-year-old back to St James’ Park, and it is understood talks were taking place today.

Southgate said: “The latest is that we have given him permission to speak to Newcastle and to Tottenham.

“I think a fee is agreed with Newcastle, but I don’t know if a fee is agreed with Tottenham.

“He has got a decision to make, whether he wants to be part of what we are doing or whether he wants to move on somewhere else.”

Speculation has been rife for days over Woodgate’s future, with Spurs’ interest emerging in the wake of speculation that the Magpies were ready to make their move.

Southgate insisted yesterday that he does not have to sell any of his players, and admitted he would only consider letting any of them leave if he already had enough cover or a target lined up.

With David Wheater and Robert Huth forming a solid partnership at Field Mill once again, it appears that could be the case in Woodgate’s situation.

Southgate said: “We have got strength in the centre-half areas that’s for sure, but it’s most importantly about what Jonathan’s feelings are.

“If he wants to be part of what we are doing, then fantastic, and we are delighted to have him with us.

“If he feels it’s the right thing to move on, then he goes with our best wishes.”

Asked if he had spoken to Woodgate about his future, the manager said: “I have done that throughout the season. I have had plenty of conversations with him.

“He has got the opportunity now to make the decision he wants to make.”

Southgate was less forthcoming, however, over reports that 20-year-old striker Ben Hutchinson has signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic.

He said: “That’s something that has emerged over the last couple of days, and I haven’t even had a chance to sit and speak to Ben about it.

“I don’t want to say too much about that at this moment in time because there is a bit of investigating to be done into it.”